Patent Application
20220354289
The field of the invention is food appliances.
The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that tem′ provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
Eating trays are common household appliances used to contain and compartmentalize different food items. In many cases, eating trays are a preferred medium for food containment and compartmentalization for younger users as they provide a variety of options for serving and presenting food without being comprised of separable units, such as separate bowls, dishes, and sauce containers. Traditional eating trays are designed for the primary functional purpose of containing food. To appeal to children, some manufacturers have added design elements to food trays that add graphical design elements or incorporate minor non-functional features to functional elements of food trays. For example, some manufacturers have added graphic design elements, such as depictions of cars, rainbows, and animals over the functional compartments of food trays to be more appealing to children. However, these types of food trays merely skin a functional item with design elements that do not fundamentally affect how the food tray operates or integrates into a larger system. Other conventional trays incorporate simple elements that affect the function of the food tray without incorporating design elements that appeal to children.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,021,914 to Schmidt teaches a hor d'oeuvres tray that includes an integrated glass holder positioned next to a cavity for containing food items. Schmidt fails to incorporate design elements that serve non-food-based functionalities. Instead, the additional features in Schmidt serve to hold a glass that contains an accompanying beverage to compliment the food items stored in the cavity. As such, Schmidt does not address the challenges of integrating both non-food-based functional elements and ornamental elements into a food tray that appeals to the behavioral characteristics of children (e.g., preferences for visual, sound, and/or tactile stimulation).
U.S. Pat. No. 8,960,467 to Miros teaches a folding food container that folds over itself to create an enclosed food compartment that folds out into a larger and more compartmentalized tray. As with Schmidt, Miros fails to teach the integration of non-food-based functional elements and ornamental elements into the claimed food tray. Instead, the additional features in Miros serve to improve the storage of food itself by offering more food storage space when in an open configuration.
US Patent Application Publication No. 2019/0173272 to Malcolm teaches a utensil with ornamental elements that is configured to interact with food items. However, Malcolm fails to disclose the use of interactive elements in a food tray. Additionally, the ornamental features also serve food-specific purposes such as by being a part of the handle or the tines of a fork. As such, Malcolm fails the contemplate the integration of functional and ornamental features in a food tray that are not directly tied to the containment of food items or the interaction with food items.
In contrast, the invention described herein contemplates the use of ornamental and non-ornamental features in a food tray that serve secondary purposes outside of the containment of food. For example, the invention described herein can include structural elements that are used to mentally and physically stimulate children, such as by providing a mixture of interactive toys that serve to capture the attention of the user. By providing interactive elements that are non-food-based, the invention herein provides additional incentives for a user to remain engaged with the food tray. For example, a child that is normally distracted by events and objects in the room can be encouraged to focus on a food tray with various interactive toys surrounding a main food compartment, such that the food tray provides entertainment in addition to presenting food to a child. In this way, the present invention contemplates, among other functionalities, a way to keep children engaged in the activity of eating by incorporating entertainment elements.
Therefore, a need exists to provide a food tray with integrated and modular entertainment elements.
The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of food trays now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new type of food tray which couples a food tray with interactive elements.
The present disclosure contemplates a novel interactive food tray comprising a food compartment, an interactive surface, and a module. The interactive surface is coupled to the food compartment and may be further coupled to modules that are configured to at least partially provide a non-food-based function.
In some embodiments, the food compartment of the interactive food tray can include at least one closeable compartment. For example, the food compartment can include a lid that is configured to remain in a substantially closed or substantially open configuration by a user.
In another embodiment, the interactive surface of the interactive food tray can include a module attachment area configured to couple with one or more modules. For example, a module attachment area can include one or more physical (e.g., proprietary connections, USC-A, USB-C, etc.) and/or non-physical connections (e.g., RFID). The physical connections and the non-physical connections are configured to transfer at least one of electrical power and data.
In some embodiments, the module is a stationary ornamental feature, such that the foundation of the stationary ornamental feature is substantially fixed on a surface of the interactive surface. For example, the module can be an LCD screen with an ornamental body that is fixed onto the surface of the interactive food tray. In some embodiments, the stationary ornamental feature may include any one or more movable components, lights, speakers, and communication units.
In some embodiments, the module is a movable ornamental feature, such that the foundation of the movable ornamental feature operatively couples to a surface of the interactive surface. For example, the module can be a toy car that fits within a racetrack on the interactive surface. In some embodiments, the movable ornamental feature may include any one or more movable components, lights, speakers, and communication units.
In some embodiments, the interactive food tray can include computer components, such as a computer processor, a communication unit, a memory, and a display. It is further contemplated that any one or more of the computer components be coupled to additional integrated and/or input/output connection-based modalities, such as a speaker and/or a motor. The computer components are contemplated to be operatively coupled through a communications fabric, wherein the communications fabric provides communications between at least the computer processor, the communication unit, the memory, and one or more input/output devices. It is contemplated that the communications fabric can operatively couple computer components using a physical connection, a wireless connection, and any combination thereof.
These and other features and advantages are evidenced from the following description of the present invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus, if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.
Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which:
In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously.
Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints, and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include commercially practical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary.
The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, “rear”, “front”, “side”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
Although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, the first element may be designated as the second element, and the second element may be likewise designated as the first element without departing from the scope of the invention.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.
In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.
The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.
Food compartment 102 can includes any area of interactive food tray 100 and any associated structures configured to receive food. In the depicted embodiment, food compartment 102 includes two cavities adapted to receive food items. In other embodiments, food compartment 102 includes a singular cavity to receive food items. Food compartment 102 can include any one or more combinations of features associated with food items.
In some embodiments, food compartment 102 includes protrusions that are adapted to receive food items. For example, food compartment 102 can include protrusions that allow utensils to be secured in place using a friction fit until removed. In other embodiments, food tray 100 includes closeable compartments that can be opened to access the contents of the closeable compartments. For example, food compartment 102 can include a compartment with a hinged snap-fit lid to secure sauces therein until the hinged snap-fit lid is opened. In another example, food compartment 102 can include a compartment with a rotating lid that allows a user to access the contents of the compartment when the lid is rotated to at least partially open configuration.
Food compartment 102 can be made of any food-safe materials. In one embodiment, food compartment 102 is made of any one or more substantially non-porous materials. For example, food compartment 102 can be made of a food-grade stainless steel. In another example, food compartment 102 can be made of aluminum. In yet another example, food compartment 102 can be made of copper. In yet another example, food compartment can be made of metal alloys. It is contemplated that some metallic materials may be safe for contact with food items but may also be coated with a material to prevent leeching of metals into the food items to prevent the introduction of undesirable flavors into the food items.
In another embodiment, food compartment 102 is made of any one or more food-safe porous materials. For example, food compartment 102 can be made of any one or more food-safe plastics, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polypropylene (PP). In yet another example, food compartment 102 can be made of any one or more silicon-based materials. In yet another example, food compartment 102 can be made of a substantially natural fibrous material, such as wood and paper, which can be removed and disposed of after use. However, food compartment 102 is not limited to the materials described herein and may include any porous materials that are suitable for contact with food items.
Food compartment 102 may be modular such that food compartment 102 can be removed from the body of interactive food tray 100.
For example, food compartment 102 can be a tray that is removably coupled to food tray 100 using a friction fit. In another example, food compartment 102 is a tray that can be removably coupled to food tray 100 using a snap-fit mechanism. In yet another example, food compartment 102 is a tray that can be removably coupled to food tray 100 using a screw-fit mechanism. In yet another example, food compartment 102 is a tray that can be removably coupled to food tray 100 using a magnetic mechanism. In yet another example, food compartment 102 is a tray that can be removably coupled to food tray 100 using a hook-and-loop fastener mechanism. In yet another example, food compartment 102 is a tray that can be is removably coupled to food tray 100 using a suction-based mechanism.
It is contemplated that the preceding examples can apply to any material or combination of materials that are suitable for food applications. For example, food compartment 102 may include a mixture of substantially non-porous material and porous materials. In one embodiment, food compartment 102 is modular such that a user can choose which food-safe structures to removably attach to food compartment 102. For example, a user can decide to attach a plastic bowl with a suction-based securing mechanism and a stainless-steel cup that secures itself to food compartment 102 using a magnetic mechanism.
Interactive surface 104 includes any area of interactive food tray 100 and any associated structures configured to form an interactive area of interactive food tray 100. In one embodiment, interactive surface 104 is a substantially fixed structure, such that the structures on interactive surface 104 are substantially inseparable. For example, interactive surface 104 can include physical features, such as a race-track in the depicted embodiment, that are substantially fixed to interactive surface 104. In another embodiment, interactive surface 104 can include physical features that are removably coupled to interactive surface 104, such that interactive surface 104 can receive modular components. For example, interactive surface 104 can include a race car that is configured to roll along the surface of interactive surface 104. It is further contemplated that interactive surface 104 can be operatively coupled to one or more additional functionalities incorporated into interactive food tray 100, such as lights, motors, and computer processors which will be discussed in further detail below.
Stationary ornamental feature 106 includes any feature associated with interactive surface 104 that is substantially stationary. For example, stationary ornamental feature 106 can be a toy house fixed onto the surface of interactive surface 104. Stationary ornamental feature 106 can be substantially fixed to the interactive surface 104 in any manner known in the art. For example, stationary ornamental feature 106 can be attached to interactive surface 104 using screw fasteners. In another example, stationary ornamental feature 106 can be attached to interactive surface 104 as an integrated part of interactive surface 104, such as a physical feature that is molded into the surface of interactive surface 104 and the larger body of interactive food tray 100.
In some embodiments, stationary ornamental feature 106 may include moving parts that remain on a substantially fixed foundation coupled to interactive surface 104. For example, stationary ornamental feature 106 may be a toy windmill with a fixed based and a rotating mill.
In other embodiments, stationary ornamental feature 106 may include one or more components. Components may include, but are not limited to, lights, speakers, batteries, cameras, electrical connections, motors, fans, and memory.
Movable ornamental feature 108 includes any feature associated with interactive surface 104 that can be moved. For example, movable ornamental feature 106 can be a toy car on the surface of interactive surface 104.
In some embodiments, movable ornamental feature 108 can include one or more components. Components may include, but are not limited to, lights, speakers, batteries, cameras, electrical connections, motors, fans, memory, and communication units. Communication units can include any one or more mediums for the transfer of electricity and/or data wirelessly, such as near-field communications, inductive charging, and wireless fidelity-based technologies.
For example, movable ornamental feature 108 can be a toy car with working headlights, a speaker playing music, and a near-field communication (NFC) chip that is detected by an NFC reader coupled to interactive surface 104 and serves as a communication medium for data regarding the position of the toy car relative to other features on interactive surface 104.
Functional ornamental feature 110 includes any feature coupled and/or integrated with interactive surface 104 that serves a functional purpose. In preferred embodiments, functional ornamental feature 110 also includes ornamental features. For example, functional ornamental feature 110 can be a plastic tree truck with a hollowed-out core. The hollowed-out core can be used to contain liquid condiments, such as sauces accompanying food items in food compartment 102. In another example, functional ornamental feature 110 can be a camera directed at a baby that is configured to provide an accessible video feed to a remote user.
In some embodiments, functional ornamental feature 110 may include one or more components. Components may include, but are not limited to, lights, speakers, batteries, cameras, electrical connections, motors, fans, and memory.
Speaker 112 can include any one or more components configured to output sound. For example, speaker 112 can be an electrodynamic speaker. In another example, speaker 112 can be a flat panel speaker, such as a ribbon speaker, planar magnetic speaker, and/or electrostatic speaker.
Light 114 can include any one or more components configured to output light. In one embodiment, light 114 is configured to output electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectrum. For example, light 114 can be a light emitting diode that is configured to output a blue light. In another example, light 114 can be an RGB led that is configured to output a selected wavelength in the visible spectrum.
In another embodiment, light 114 is configured to output electromagnetic radiation outside of the visible spectrum. For example, light 114 can be configured to emit infrared light. In another example, light 114 can be configured to output ultraviolet light to sanitize a particular surface on interactive surface 104.
In one embodiment, light 114 is a display. For example, light 114 can be a liquid crystal display configured to display a graphical user interface. In another example, light 114 can be a capacitive touchscreen display. In yet another example, light 114 can be a resistive touchscreen display.
In another embodiment, light 114 is a projector. For example, light 114 can be a projected image that is angled towards interactive surface 104 to display one or more images.
Computer processor 116 can be operatively coupled to one or more components, including a cache, memory 126, communication unit 122, input/output (I/O) interface(s) using a communications fabric. As used herein, the communications fabric provides communications between various components such as a cache, memory 126, communication unit 122, and input/output (I/O) interface(s). Communications fabric can be implemented with any architecture designed for passing data and/or control information between processors (such as microprocessors, communications and network processors, etc.), system memory, peripheral devices, and any other hardware components within a system. For example, communications fabric can be implemented with one or more buses.
I/O interfaces can include any one or more input and/or output mechanisms. For example, input mechanisms can include physical inputs, such as navigational input hardware, touchpads, and/or physical buttons. For example, physical inputs can include, but are not limited to, computer mice, keyboards, button arrays, and touch pads. Touch pads can include any technology for translating user touch into navigational outputs, such as resistive touch pads, capacitive touch pads, and force sensing resistor-based touch pads.
Memory 126 can include one or more of a volatile and a non-volatile computer readable storage media. Memory 126 may also include a cache, wherein the cache is a fast memory that enhances the performance of processor(s) by holding recently accessed data, and data near recently accessed data, from memory 126.
Module attachment area 118 is a type of input/output (I/O) interface that allows one or more modules to be attached to interactive surface 104. In some embodiments, module attachment area 118 can include one or more mechanisms enabling interactive food tray 100 to operatively and removably couple to new modules. For example, module attachment area 118 can include an NFC reader that allows a computer processor to determine the identity of a module based on a corresponding NFC chip. It is further contemplated that module attachment area 118 can include one or more wireless communications means to send and/or receive program instructions in response to the attachment of the module.
Input/output (I/O) interfaces can be used to receive data and user input and/or for providing system output. User input can be provided via a plurality of I/O interfaces, such as a keypad, a touch screen, a camera, a microphone, a scroll ball, a scroll bar, buttons, bar code scanner, voice recognition, eye gesture, and the like. System output can be provided via a display screen such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), touch screen, and the like. I/O interfaces can also include, for example, a global positioning service (GPS) radio, a serial port, a parallel port, a small computer system interface (SCSI), an infrared (IR) interface, a radio frequency (RF) interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and the like. I/O interfaces can include a graphical user interface (GUI) that is presented on a screen to a user. Additionally, I/O interfaces may be used to output notifications to a user and can include a speaker or other sound emitting device configured to emit audio notifications, a vibrational device configured to vibrate, shake, or produce any other series of rapid and repeated movements to produce haptic notifications, and/or a light emitting diode (LED) or other light emitting element which may be configured to illuminate to provide a visual notification.
Motor 120 can include any means of producing mechanical movement. Motor 120 may be present on a module and/or interactive food tray 100. In some embodiments, motor 120 can be vibrational device configured to vibrate, shake, or produce any other series of rapid and repeated movements to produce haptic notifications. In another embodiment, motor 120 can be a rotational device that initiates and sustains rotational movement until deactivated. In yet another embodiment, motor 120 can be a reciprocating device that converts rotary motions to a reciprocating motion.
Power source 124 can include any one or more components enabling the delivery of electricity to interactive food tray 100. For example, power source 124 can be a portable power storage medium, such as a battery. In another example, power source 124 can be an electrical conduit that enables interactive food tray 100 to be connected to a wall outlet. In yet another example, power source 124 can include both a portable power storage medium and an electrical conduit.
In some embodiments, interactive food tray 100 may not include a power source and may, instead, be a non-powered apparatus. In other embodiments, power source 124 may be mechanical mechanism that translates kinetic energy from a user into motion. For example, power source 124 can include a wind-up mechanism, which can include a motor chassis, a gear train, and torsion springs.
While some materials have been provided, in other embodiments, the elements that comprise interactive food tray 100 and any associated element discussed herein, may be made from durable materials such as aluminum, steel, other metals and metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, hard plastics, fiber reinforced plastics, carbon fiber, fiber glass, resins, polymers or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. Additionally, one or more elements may be made from or comprise durable and slightly flexible materials such as soft plastics, silicone, soft rubbers, or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. In some embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise interactive food tray 100 may be coupled or connected together with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types of fasteners, or any other suitable joining method. In other embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 120 may be coupled or removably connected by being press fit or snap fit together, by one or more fasteners such as hook and loop type or Velcro® fasteners, magnetic type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue and groove fasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, slide-to-lock type connection method or any other suitable temporary connection method as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function. In further embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise interactive food tray 100 may be coupled by being one of connected to and integrally formed with another element of interactive food tray 100.
It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
